“Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage is urging people not to buy huskies which have been made popular due to the breed’s similarity to the fearsome and protective direwolves portrayed on the popular HBO show.

The actor, who plays Tyrion Lannister on the fantasy drama, said Tuesday that fans are purchasing the dogs, known to be intelligent, independent and difficult to train, and then giving them up once the novelty has worn off.

Courtesy of HBO

Jon Snow and his computer-generated direwolf, Ghost.

Jon Snow and his computer-generated direwolf, Ghost. (Courtesy of HBO)

The phenomena is often referred to as the “101 Dalmatians” syndrome in which fans of the Disney film or others like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” succumb to the lure of the movie pets and go out and buy one only to discover that in real life the dogs are not as alluring. The demand causes puppy mills to churn out the canines who often end up languishing in shelters.

“Please, to all of “Game of Thrones’” many wonderful fans, we understand that due to the direwolves’ huge popularity, many folks are going out and buying huskies,” Dinklage said in the statement released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

AFP/Getty Images

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage (AFP/Getty Images)

“Not only does this hurt all the deserving homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are also reporting that many of these huskies are being abandoned—as often happens when dogs are bought on impulse, without understanding their needs.”

According to SFGate, one group that takes in abandoned huskies began to notice about three years ago that the dogs were coming in with unusual names on their microchips.

A closer look revealed that the canines were being named after popular characters that populate the show’s Seven Kingdoms where the mythical creatures are the symbols of the House of Stark.

The Bay Area Siberian Husky Club, as well as Northern California Sled Dog Rescue, reported that the numbers of unwanted huskies has doubled since the show debuted in 2011.

The same thing is also happening in Britain where one animal charity reported a 700 percent rise in abandoned huskies, SF Gate reported.

“Please, please, if you’re going to bring a dog into your family, make sure that you’re prepared for such a tremendous responsibility and remember to always, ALWAYS, adopt from a shelter,” said Dinklage.

San Diegans who want to do just that will be able to take home a new best friend on Saturday during the Clear the Shelters day when adoption fees will be waived.